Why Pets Are Great For Families

It seems that for as long as human civilization has been around, pets have held a unique place in the homes and societies of human beings. For many people, life with a pet is life at its best: Pets provide us with companionship, friendship, responsibility and someone who is always there for us no matter what happens on the journey of life. But pets provide us with more than a loving bond: In addition to being our friends, pets provide numerous health benefits that can have a profound effect on a person’s or family’s wellness. Here are just a few of the reasons that pets are great for:

1. Decreased Stress Levels
Pets such as dogs and cats aren’t always easy to live with, and sometimes they can even get downright annoying when they get finicky about their food or track mud through the house. In the bigger picture of pet ownership, however, animals such as dogs and cats have actually been shown to decrease stress levels in individuals. Human-animal interactions in the form of pet ownership will often increase levels of oxytocin in the brain over time. Our sense of well-being and social bonding will increase after spending time with a pet.

3. Shared Love
In addition to contributing to decreased stress levels and increased health benefits, animal companions also provide a real sense of shared love, a quality that can mitigate even the most stressful periods in life. With the sense of companionship and responsibility that comes with caring for a pet can be found a genuine sense of friendship that is often difficult to match in other aspects of life. The poet Lord Byron erected a monument to celebrate his Newfoundland Boatswain, inscribing a poem embossed in copper that described dogs as being “the firmest friend” that people can have in life. Accurate praise indeed!

4. Instills Responsibility

Pets require a lot of attention. They must be fed, walked, and loved. Having a pet will make you feel needed, and will give you purpose in life. Before bringing your new pet home make sure you plan a care schedule. Determine who will be feeding, walking, and training your pet. This is a great way to instill responsibility in your children. Cats do not need to be trained and can sleep for up to 16 hours, which makes them the perfect pet if you run a tight calendar. Make sure you set them up with a litter box and proper food and you are in the clear!! However, potty training your new puppy will be the first challenge. Be sure to take them out every 4 hours and to give them a tasty treat after they finish their business.

For these reasons, having a pet is often one of the most important aspects of a person’s home life. Promoting health benefits as well as a sense of shared companionship, pet ownership has few parallels in society in terms of positive effects on individuals. For most pet owners, a pet is truly a member of the family. Whether you’re the owner of a pet or are considering adopting a dog or cat friend, 2019 might just be the year that changes your life for the better!

Author Bio: Paige Jirsa- I work with Top10.Today, a shopping comparison site, where we strive to help consumers find the best quality and priced products.